12:15 PM, February 8, 2013

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A former Rockwood police officer has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges in connection with an allegation of inappropriate contact involving a female prisoner in his custody.

Christian Zieminski, 34, pleaded guilty today in Wayne County Circuit Court to two counts of willful failure to uphold the law, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Zieminski had originally been charged with more serious second- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges as well as indecent exposure.

As part of his plea, Zieminski has agreed not to challenge his termination from the police department and will forfeit his Michigan Coalition of Law Enforcement Standards certification, the release said.

A message seeking comment was left for Zieminski’s attorney.

Zieminski is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5.

Zieminski was fired from his earlier post with the Brownstown Township Police Department in 2006 after being accused of being involved with a then-17-year-old student at Woodhaven High School, where he was assigned as a school liaison officer, according to earlier Free Press reports.

John Wasner, a Rockwood city councilman, defended Zieminski’s hiring during a 2007 Free Press interview. Wasner said that council had not known of the incident involving the student.

“How many times can you beat someone up over past indiscretions?” Wasner asked at the time. “He is a fine officer.”